MUMBAI, November 5: Contrary to his earlier stand, Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde today admitted that the law and order situation in the metropolis was deteriorating. ``Certainly it's a matter of concern for the alliance government. It has damaged the image of the government and the Mumbai police. I have asked Commissioner of Police R H Mendonca to launch a war against gangsters and restore peace in the metropolis,'' Munde told mediapersons after a meeting with senior police officials.When his attention was drawn to Chief Minister Manohar Joshi's statement yesterday that major changes in the police force were imminent, Munde said he was also planning an overhaul. ``I have asked Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar to carry out an evaluation of senior police officials, particularly those of the rank of deputy commissioner and above, and submit a report within a week. Once I receive the report, I will certainly carry out changes,'' he added. Replying to a question, Munde said he would briefPrime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the law and order situation during his visit to the city tomorrow.
On the steps to be taken to restore confidence among the public, Munde said it would be a three-pronged strategy. First, a drive will be launched against criminals who have been declared absconding. Second, all such criminals who pose a threat to the peace and order in the city will be arrested. And third, the drive to detect and seize illegal weapons will be intensified.
Meanwhile, fifteen police officers of the Mumbai police, including four assistant commissioners of police, have been transferred. Assistant Commissioner of Police C M Ramteke who was attached to the Kurla division has been transferred to the Traffic department. He has been replaced by ACP V V Raghuvanshi from the Crime Branch. ACP V G Amrutsagar has been moved from D N Nagar division to South Control room. He has been replaced by ACP R S Shinde.
Some senior inspectors too have been transferred. A R Inamdar moves from Police ControlRoom to Dahisar police station. PI D S Tikam takes charge of Tilak Nagar police station replacing R A Musale, who has been transferred to the Traffic Division. Inspector R P Chhalani moves from Borivli police station to the Traffic Division. He has been replaced by inspector D D Shelar, who was attached to the Bhandup police station. Inspector A M Desai moves from Crime Branch to take charge of Sewri police station. He replaces inspector D B Ghorpade, who has been transferred to the Traffic Division. Inspector V B Arote from Airport Security replaces V B Patil at Wadala police station. Patil has been transferred to the Crime Branch. Inspector D B Lembhe who was attached to the Dahisar police station has been transferred to the Crime Branch and PI S S Kambli has been moved from Bhandup to Traffic Division.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.